-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Manchester United fans are used to dramatic finishes , but not against Stoke City at Old Trafford .

Alex Ferguson 's recently published autobiography maybe full of tales of derring-do against more illustrious opposition , but these are wildly different days at United at present .

United were a goal down inside five minutes when Jonny Evans attempted clearance rebounded off Peter Crouch and past David De Gea .

Robin van Persie calmed United nerves with an equalizer two minutes before the break but the relief was short-lived when Marko Arnautovic restored Stoke 's lead moments later with a well-executed free kick .

And that 's how it stayed until the 78th minute before Wayne Rooney came to the rescue with a header to bring United level before Javier Hernandez scored the winner two minutes later .

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The 3-2 win eases the pressure on David Moyes and keeps United , who have 14 points from nine matches , in touching distance of the league leaders Arsenal .

Arsene Wenger 's side dispatched bottom-of-the-table Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park in the day 's early kick-off .

The Premier League newboys , who are currently without a manager after Ian Holloway 's resignation in midweek , were on equal terms after a competitive first half but Mikel Arteta 's 47th minute penalty gave the away side a deserved lead .

The Spanish international was later red-carded for a professional foul on former Gunners forward Marouane Chamakh , but Arsenal made sure of the three points when Olivier Giroud headed in Aaron Ramsey 's deftly chipped cross .

The win keeps Arsene Wenger 's side two points clear at the top of the table with 22 points from nine games .

Liverpool move up to second after thrashing West Bromwich Albion 4-1 at Anfield . Luis Suarez got the Merseysiders off to a flier with goals in the 12th minute and 17th minute before completing his hat-trick 10 minutes after the break .

James Morrison pulled one back for West Brom when he converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute , but hopes of a comeback were extinguished 11 minutes later when Daniel Sturridge scored a delightful fourth , chipping the ball over goalkeeper Boaz Myhill .

Everton 's superb early season continued with 2-0 away win against Aston Villa . Romelu Lukaku scored his fifth goal of the season in the 68th minute before Leon Osman doubled the lead 13 minutes later .

The Toffees ' fifth win in six league games sees them leapfrog Chelsea to go fourth .

Jose Mourniho 's men can return to second in the table if they beat Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday .

Southampton 's good form also continued with a comfortable 2-0 win over Fulham at St Mary 's Stadium .

First-half goals from Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez lift Southampton to third in the table . Mauricio Pochettino 's side have the best defensive record in the league with only three goals conceded in nine matches .

Norwich City and Cardiff City drew 0-0 in the other league fixture played Saturday .

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Manchester United make heavy weather of win against Stoke City at Old Trafford

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League leaders Arsenal beat Crystal Palae 2-0 ; Liverpool thrash West Brom 4-1

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Chelsea take on Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday